Jamie Murray makes emotional tribute to his mother after winning consecutive US Open mixed doubles titles

During the presentation ceremony, Murray took the mic and started singing 'Happy Birthday' to his mother, Judy

Jamie Murray and Bethanie Mattek Sands celebrate their US Open mixed doubles title (Getty)

Jamie Murray made an emotional tribute to his mother and his coach after winning the US Open mixed doubles title here for the second year in a row. Judy Murray was in the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium as her 32-year-old son and the 33-year-old American, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, beat Nikola Mektic and Alicja Rosolska 2-6, 6-3, 11-9.

Having led the singing of “Happy Birthday” during the presentation ceremony in honour of his mother, who was celebrating her 59th birthday, Murray said later that her achievements in tennis were almost bigger than what her two sons have managed.

Jamie, who has now won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles and two in men’s doubles, and his brother Andy, who has won three Grand Slam singles titles, were both coached by Judy in their early years. However, Jamie said she deserved particular recognition for her work with young players throughout the country.

“When she became a coach she wanted to give as many kids as she could the opportunities she didn't have when she wanted to be a player,” Jamie recalled. “I think she did an amazing job, not just with us, because she was national coach of Scotland for however many years. Now she's got so many different initiatives with young kids, not just in Scotland but [throughout] the UK.

“I think it’s pretty remarkable how many kids she’s brought tennis to in our country. She’ll continue to do that. A lot of people don’t write about that stuff because they’re not really aware of it, but it’s pretty incredible what she’s been able to do.

“Obviously Andy and I have done some pretty amazing things on the tennis court, considering where we've come from, but I think what my mum has been able to do is actually almost bigger in the grand scheme of things.”

The US Open recognises the achievements of its champions’ coaches, who are presented with trophies by their players. Mattek-Sands paid tribute to her coach, Austin Smith, but an emotional Murray was unable to get out the words to express his gratitude to Alan MacDonald. “I’ll just give you a hug,” Jamie said before handing him his trophy.

It was an emotional occasion all round, Mattek-Sands having been in tears on the court after winning her first title since coming back from a horrific knee injury at Wimbledon last summer.

“Last year I was up in the gym here at the US Open,” she recalled afterwards. “I was practising walking without my crutches. I think it was probably one of the first times that I was able to walk heel-to-toe up here in the gym.”

She added: “I didn’t think about winning a title months ago. I was too far away from that. My win had to be bending my knee from 90 degrees to 95. That had to be good enough. If I thought about holding a US Open trophy last year, I would have been discouraged.

“That's how we got here: it's match by match, point by point. It's how I've got here, taking those little wins every day from last year at Wimbledon and really choosing my attitude. I really had to look at myself in the mirror and decide how I wanted to wake up every day despite my circumstances not being how I envisioned them.

“I think I just kept that philosophy throughout my rehab, throughout my comeback.”